1.14.2010

It's funny how movies speak to us in different ways. For all the glitz, glamour and sparkle of the recent release, Nine, this Birdie couldn't be swooned -- and it was a pretty darn shiny movie! But on a random Saturday morning, I caught the 1998 romantic comedy, You've Got Mail on television, and was reminded what a charming movie it is. Granted, the story is nothing new -- even borderline creepy, as Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan email their way to anonymous romance. Boy meets girl, boy makes girl lose business, emails are exchanged, hearts are mended, love conquers all, blah, blah, blah. Honestly, I don't even care about the half-baked story, as I think Hanks and Ryan are simply a joy to watch, even as far back as Joe Versus the Volcano -- way before Sleepless in Seattlecame out.

The main reason I find You've Got Mail so delightful, is the children's bookstore that Meg Ryan's character owns. It's amazing in its fairytale New York City, Nora Ephron-ization way, with its perfect vintage interiors and lovingly-stocked shelves. Even the name is adorable: The Shop Around the Corner. Ryan exudes her signature adorableness as her character rattles off encyclopedic knowledge of childrens' book authors and characters, she bedecks her fabulous shop for every season, and lists off twee loves like bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils and happy handfuls of fresh-picked daisies. Also, Jean Stapleton's marvelously batty character is named Birdie, so that's just icing on the red velvet cupcake, as far as I'm concerned.

I was inspired to rediscover some charming treasures inspired by childhood, as well as appreciate the kind gestures of others. A glitzy glass (OK, acrylic) slipper on a pillow, a French-speaking birdie note of thanks from a thoughtful friend, and of course a momentary visit down memory lane, through a much-beloved book, Goodnight Moon. Even if the movie isn't much on its own, You've Got Mail is a pleasant reminder of how enchanting a mailed note of thanks can be.

6 comments:

Sometimes, really rarely, when I find myself in one of the children's rooms and I feel a bit tense, I sit down on their bed and grab one of their children's books. Sometimes, I really enjoy flipping through them, losing myself in a fairytale world where there is always a happy ending. It relaxes me. Does that sound really silly? ;-)

Great post and so true! Worked in a bookstore and would always shelve the children books. I noticed the bookstores are setting up the Valentine tables. The cards, toys selections are getting more robust every year. r&r

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